Spring

It is spring in the central south, it has been dry and we have already seen the temperature climb into the nineties. With spring the chances for violent deadly  weather. We had such storm last week.  Unfortunately  people lost their lives during this storm that ripped across the country. After the storms is the best time to go seeking birds that might have been blown in. Our yearly challenge to see 225 birds is well on its way as we have already seen 127 species of birds. The upcoming trip north will provide great opportunities to see birds. High on the list of must sees is Reelfoot NWR, and Cache NWR these will be areas that we have not been too. Once up north we will bird some familiar  birding areas.

This spring I celebrate my 18th year as a birdwatcher.  I thank Della Hamburg for introducing me to this wonderful exciting hobby. On a cool spring morning  a small group ventured out to Ryerson Woods {Lake County Forest Preserve}. With non focusing binoculars that  were basically junk. We walked down a path Della point out a Red Breasted Grosbeak. I had I never seen such a stunning bird. I was awestruck. His song matched his striking beauty of black, white, a blood red bib. I was hooked a new world opened to me.
Over the next eighteen years my interest has never waned and I never tire  of seeing the same birds over and over. Each time I learn something new about them. I always feel like a guest peering into their world.  Della and I would share  an exciting moment on cold misty fall day.
I saw my first Gold Eagle. Then meet Vic, he opened the world of raptors to me. I spent many hours counting hawks along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I moved south and a new wealth of birding  opened up for me. The first summer I went to Red Slough in Oklahoma. On a very warm  summer day I hiked a trail. At the end of of the trail a flock of a Wood Storks  flew over head. That was so awesome  to see. The best part is introducing Betty to birdwatching. We are partners  and birdwatching has enriched our lives.

Eighteen years later my binoculars have upgraded to Swarovski's, I have added a scope  that works great to see the far off birds. My binoculars are special to me each time I use them I remember my Dad. It through my inheritance that I was able to upgraded my binoculars.  I have field guides looking to add the next level of field guides.

Each morning I awake before seven. I love just laying there to listen the birds sing and chatter with each other.  The star of this group is Enrico Cardinal, his song repertoire is so vast . He sings flawlessly , never misses  a note. Then there is the squawking of Freddy Blue Jay his song  is irregular. He does fairly well mimicking others though.  Then there is the duet team of Charlie and Mike Robin, their song is a rich mixture of tones and notes. Their singing compliments Enrico. Buddy Mockingbird tries his best to outsing everyone else. He is able to hit the higher notes, his songs are covers of the other birds and occasionally he will introduce his own songs. The triplets Roscoe, Robbie, Ronnie Collared Doves. Are the jazz singers of the group their cooing is mournful, sometimes sad just like  great music.  This mixture of songs and music is such a great start to the day. I praise God for his creation, the variety of birds Thar sing their praise to God.

This month I also I am thankful for God's forgiveness, His mercy. After years of running from God and trying to hide from Him. I had just began a relation with Betty. Betty, is the most amazing Christian woman I have ever known. We began talking on the phone the conservation turned to God and the importance of God in her life. God, moved in my heart in a mighty way. Betty, lead me back to rededicating  my life to God.  I am so thankful that God,
is forgiving and for his mercy. This rededicating my life has brought a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. I have such a  deep thirst to learn and understand  in ways that I never though of. Each door that is opened it reveals  more truth and my seeking to go even deeper.

Happy Easter to all. Rejoice for He has risen.

What I have learned

A Happy Saint Paddy's day to everyone.

As I approach  the 40Th Anniversary of graduating high school. I thought I would look back of I what I have learned since then.
I have learned that God, is a better driver for the travels of life. I just wished I learned to slide over earlier.
I have learned; That in the grand scheme of life High School was nothing more then necessary evil that had to be done.
I have learned; That the three years I spent in the Army was one the better choices I have made in my life.
I have learned; That mankind is capable of vast human tragedy. The time I spent visiting  Dachau POW left a haunting image of this.
I have learned; You make no money wearing a paper hat.
I have learned; That friends you had in childhood are fleeting.
I have learned; The birth of my daughter was a very humbling and touching moment
I have learned; that; standing on concrete floors are not kind to your knees or your back.
I have learned ; The best lessons of life are learned outside the class room.
I have learned ; The power of forgiveness. God, has shown me what total forgiveness is five years ago.
I have learned; That trying to make a failed marriage work for years is unhealthy.
I have learned; That true love does exist, I found it six years.
I have learned; To experience the beauty of nature through bird watching. I have had many ah ah moments in the field
I have learned; To look for nature's beauty each day even in the simplest of things.
I have learned; That wet shaving with soap, brush, and a double edge or single edge razor is the most luxurious way to start the day.
I have learned; To trust people and to make friends. Something I avoided for too long.
I have learned; That belonging to a church is  essential for myself.
I have learned; That I will never overcome or stop missing my Mom.
I have learned; That is no such thing as a stupid question.
I have learned; That being a sinistral is something to be proud of.
I have learned; That every day I need to learn something new.
I have learned; That being a workaholic has to steep of a price and no rewards.
I have learned; That loyalty at a job has no long term value.
I have learned; That the best way to write is with a fountain pen and ink. Especially a 80 year old pen. To feel its history as you write.
I have learned; The value and experience of hand written letters and post cards.
I have learned; The a photograph makes time stand still for millisecond
I have learned; That the media manituples the news and reports only a fraction of what is going on.
I have learned; That we have no true heroes anymore.
I have learned: That today our society rewards the worst beahvior.
I have learned; That poetry that I have written is an expression of my inner heart.
I have learned; The future will take care of itself, that worrying about won't change it.
I have learned;  Never be reckless with anyones heart.
I have learned; That is better to remember the compliments, forget the insults.
I have learned; That rasing is child is a life long commitment and never ceases.
I have learned; To accept the fact I am getting old.
I have learned: The roads up the mountains in life offer the greatest teaching and are the most humbling.
I have learned; That God's purpose and direction for my life is the best. I just realized later then sooner.
I have learned: That pray does work. God is still in the miracle business.
I have learned; How important it is to prayeverday.
I have learned; That reading the bible everydayis essentail to understand my own life.
I have learned; That Jesus will return, the date is unimportant, it is important to be ready.
I am sure that are things that I have overlooked. Despite the struggles, the trials I have been through in the past two years  I am happy. with my life. The best lesson I have learned is moving aside and letting God do his works in my life. That finding true love is a such treasure.

Spring has sprung here. Bradford Pears have bloomed out two weeks ago. Everything is catching up as trees are blooming out now. The afterboon temperatures are in the low eighties.

Thoughts for Today

As February winds down and  winter begins it's yield to spring. Arkansas winters are milder than winters in the Midwest. They do have their moments  when they try hard to pretend that they have a Midwest winter event. The great thing is within a few days the snow is gone.The birds have been having their own "American Idol" singing show each morning. You have the bass cooing of the of Collared Doves, the tenor cooing of Mourning Doves. The Robins sing their aria, the Cardinals  sing they vast repertoire  of melodies. Of course not to be out done the Juncos and White Crown Sparrows join in also. It is so wonderful to lay in bed before getting up to listen the birds singing their praises to God. I noticed a tree that starting to bud. The Chorus Frogs have emerged from their winter slumber. They put the day to bed.

Nature speaks to us about the cycles of life. So many are in such a rush in their lives they tune out, ignore what the music, the beauty, awesomeness that is around them daily. God, has put before us the beauty of His work, He wants us to see it. This spring I will start my 18th year of Bird Watching. I never tire of seeing a Cardinal or a Robin each time you see something that I had not seen before. The joy is even greater when I share the wonders with my wife. Daily as we drive around town we are looking for Hawks, Vultures, and any other glimpse into nature. Each day we marvel at the flight of Turkey Vultures. They glide effortlessly across the sky riding a warm thermal. It is amazing how much sky they can cover without a wing beat. They are natures garbage collectors. Cleaning up natures death. Red Tail Hawks perch upon lamp posts, wires, billboards, and highway signs along the interstate. They are like sentails standing guard over the highway. Watching and eyeful of all that is around them. Looking for the slightest movement afar for next meal. As they look down on the cars  whizzing by I wonder what they think of us. Our hurried lifestyle, multitasking while driving. The majority will whiz by and never notice  the Hawk peering at them.

I left the Midwest coming up on seven years now. Life and nature are so vastly different yet have a common thread. The bugs here are super sized and there are definitely a greater variety. Or maybe I notice them more because they are bigger. The cycles of the seasons in the south follow a truer path of the seasons. While winter is a greater warrior in the Midwest it is meeker here in the South. The great thing is spring migrants (birds) arrive here first. The Trumpeter Swans, that vacation here sensing the coming changes. Took flight to begin their journey northward to summer breeding grounds. After spending later part of fall and the majority of winter on the open waters here. They will follow the route of previous generations took. It is as though they have  a GPS implanted at birth. Generations of Trumpeter Swans have gone before them traveling the same route year after year. They know internally when the seasons will change and when it is time to head north. Soon the little Juncos that dart on the patio will head north also. The ducks that have wintered on the open waters here will also beging their journey northward. Soon those birds they vactioned in further south will begin their flight back.

Thoughts for Today

A week ago we were bracing for a winter storm. A storm that headed north of us, we still had six inches. To the north they were dumped on with twenty five inches. It was a new state record a record that had stood since 1918. The great thing about winters in Arkansas  that wintry days do not last. Fast forward to today it is in the mid sixties most of the snow has melted into the ground.

The weather last Saturday was pleasant. When pleasant days come about a field trip is in order. We we grabbed the birding gear headed west in Oklahoma. One of our favorite birding spots is Sequoyah NWR. As we entered  the resident Road Runner greeted us. We drove into the refuge the chatter of Snow Geese could be heard.  We estimated that we saw five thousand plus. Each family has it's own dialect of honk, so family members can be easily located. Young and older Snow Geese were gleaning the field.of left over corn. the field was muddy I kept thinking how does a a white bird stay so pristine. Soon they will be heading north to the Arctic Circle to breed, to raise a family. Then they will return in the fall to enjoy milder winters. They have been doing this for generations. They follow the same migration routes previous generations flew. It is like they almost have a built in GPS. They return in the fall to the same area to winter.

Of late I have been thinking about my mom and how I still miss her. The other day I heard an old Jimmy Dean song called I.O.U. It triggered my emotions and tears flowed freely. My mom has been gone sine 1984.  Still today something will trigger my emotions. The song is about thanking mom for all she had done while growing up. I do owe my mom so many thank yous.
Thank you for nursing me through chicken pox, measles, sore throat, tonsillitis, colds. For being a medic for the scrapes and bruises. How her kiss always made it better. For always providing great meals. For the spectular holiday spreads she put out. For making sure my clothes were always clean. For always listening and for her gentle advice. For always understanding me. For writing letters while I was in the Army overseas. Mom thank you, I know that the debt is paid in full. I love you and miss you.

Snowy Day

Today is a snowy winter day here in the "Natural State".Reminisced of winter days in the mid-west. The brunt of the storm tracked to north of Fort Smith.
It broke a state record that was set in 1918. Nearly thirty inches of snow covered the ground, making travel risky. Arkansas, is not equipped to handle huge amounts of snow.  Drivers are unskilled in driving in snow conditions. We choose to stay put for today. Our patio and feeders have extremely busy. We are missing a bird feeder. The patient Juncos just wait until the boisterous assortment  of black birds frenzied feeding is done. I come to an conclusion you do not mess with a female Cardinal. She is one tough bird.

A month has been completed at the fitness center. Water aerobics three times a week has been a challenge. The forty five minute workout is intense the water makes it easier to do the workout. I realize that my coordination and balance has declined. More so then I had thought even out of the water  my balance is challenged. Arthritis has become an unwelcome invader. My neck, shoulders, back are degenerating. My spine has degenerated to a point that I have lost two inches of height. Every morning it is  a challenge to get out of the bed. I refuse to give in to the pain even though it has increased over the last couple years. It was easier to deal with when it was just a very arthritic knee. My back hurts constantly, my left knee is quickly becoming as arthritic  as my right. I work out also on the tread mill, the stationary bike. I try to reach my goal burning two thousand calories weekly. Carrying the baggage of excess weight for years. I see the results of a few pounds come off. Fitness has improved my attitude, the pain has increased. Like challenges I have faced I raise above the pain.

Winter

Winter grips the nation, most of the northern states are buried under snow. Here in Arkansas we are in the grips of icy cold. I do not miss the winters of the Midwest. I know that the weather here will return to a more tolerable  temperatures soon.

Betty and I last Friday headed a little northeast to do some birding. It was a beautiful day.
The sky was endless blue, temperatures were a comfortable. It is great to bird in winter when the temperatures are 60+. I remember birding along Lake Michigan, chumming Gulls with bread. Wind whipping your face little needles stinging the exposed face. Your feet loosing their feeling. Enjoying watching  the comedy show as Gulls slide across the ice.
We went Friday to Beaverfork Lake. Like most  adventures to a new spot it is learning where and how to bird it. The heat shimmer across the the lake made spotting the birds.
We were on the west side and the birds seem to hugging  the east shore. The most dominant  bird were Double Crested Cormorants. I would estimate in excess of five hundred Cormants.  It was good to get out and bird. We also found a great antique store.

I am now one month into my challenge to become fit. I started the year at 241 lbs, today I weigh in at 238 lbs. I am going to water aerobics three times a week. I am also riding the bike. I am up to eleven  miles  and burning about 340 calories. The arthritis pain though has yet to budge. I am proud of my modest accomplishments. Slow steps to undue years of negelect.

Winter

It is mid January, most of states are buried in snow. Here in Arkansas we have no snow. Today is though a typical winter day, gray, hazy. Spending a lifetime in the northern climate of Illinois, snow, ice, and frigid temperatures are the norm. I thought I would miss the winters, I do not miss them. Cold weather seems to go right to my bones anymore. 

I began working out at the fitness center last week. I take a water aerobics class to ease my arthritis. I also walk a mile on the indoor track, I also ride the bike, walk the treadmill. I am determined though to make an improvement  my weight and strength. Arthritis visits every night interrupting sleep.  Mornings it is difficult to get moving. I never focus on my pain or the arthritis, I do not to give into it. I never thought about how much it has detroit my joints, until starting exercising. In the water I lack balance and coordination.. On some excercises I have fallen face down in the water. I have never been a quitter in life, I realize that this will be a benefit long term.
Undoing years of little excercise is difficult. I always thought the physical work I did each day counted. Carrying excess weight, working long hours mostly on my feet, has destoryed my knees. My back is degeranting  and I account that for the two inches in height that are gone.
Pain is constant and at times intense. I have a high pain tolerance, maybe I am good at mentally at not accepting it.